Causes and treatment of back pain in the lumbar region: What to do if it affects the leg

It turned out that back pain in the lumbar region is very common.

According to biologists, such a symptom is the result of our vertical posture, during which the load falls mainly on the lumbar region and is not evenly distributed in the spinal column. Pain in the lumbar region can cause serious problems not only in the spine but also in the internal organs.

If the pain is severe and accompanied by fever, then call an ambulance.

If such symptoms are not observed, you need to contact a therapist for an accurate diagnosis. Let’s see why these symptoms occur, how they are treated and prevented.

The main causes of low back pain

First, let's find out the causes of these nasty symptoms. Pain can be due to primary spinal pathologies or secondary diseases of internal organs.

Along with the causes, it is important to identify the factors that increase the pain syndrome.

Here they are:

1. Characteristics of the profession: Heavy physical activity for builders and loaders and weightlifters.
2. Long sit.
3. Excess weight and sedentary lifestyle.
4. Improper nutrition and lack of protein, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
5. Bad habits: alcohol and alcoholic beverages.

By reducing the impact of these factors, you can significantly alleviate your condition and spinal health.

Key factors

The primary factors are related to the degenerative-dystrophic processes of the spine.

ენიYour include:

1. Osteochondrosis is a change in the cartilage and intervertebral discs that causes herniated discs or disc deformities.
2. Spondylosis is characterized by the formation of bony growths on the spine. This growth is accompanied by spasm of the muscles around the spine, which limits its mobility. The appearance of lesions in the lower part of the spine.
3. Spondyloarthritis is the degeneration of the articular surfaces of the spine, as well as their participation in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles. In this case, the intervertebral discs become deformed and the mobility of the spine is limited.
4. Spondylolisthesis is manifested by displacement of the spine, resulting in a change in the lumen of the spinal canal.
5. Herniated discs.
6. Radiculopathy is damage to the nerve root.

Secondary factors

Secondary arises with accompanying pathologies:

1. Metabolic problems.
2. The curve of the spinal column.
3. When located near the spine of malignant growths.
4. Infectious diseases: spinal osteomyelitis, tuberculous spondylitis, epidural abscess of the spine.
5. Spinal injuries.
6. Autoimmune diseases.
7. Painful symptoms of a psychogenic nature.
8. Diseases of the digestive system.
9. Diseases of the pelvic organs.
10. Menstrual pain.

Also, spinal problems can be affected by flat feet, i. e. flattening of the arch of the foot.

Pregnancy can also cause pain. In the early stages they occur when exposed to progesterone ligaments and muscles, as well as during the risk of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

After childbirth, pain may appear as a result of stretching of the pelvic muscles, or with increased stress on the spine, with frequent carrying in the baby’s arms.

What diseases is a sign of such pain?

Localization of pain is also important.

Let us consider each case:

• Pain in the right and lower back may indicate lung pathology. These symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, cough and fever. Also about gallbladder or liver problems. In this case, it is in the nature of pain;
• If discomfort is felt on the left side of the lower spine, then it may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis or left side pleurisy;
• Symptoms of lumbar pain on this side are a signal of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, as well as compression fractures;
• A symptom of pain below the lower back that radiates to the lower abdomen is a sign of pelvic organ disease. Such diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, prostate pathology, colon disease, and infectious gynecological diseases. This may also indicate kidney failure.

Which doctor will help?

Most often, back pain occurs temporarily. Only in rare cases does such symptoms signal a serious illness.

In any case, it is worth knowing which doctor can help in such a situation. Often, severe pain occurs with increased physical activity.

In other cases you can seek help from a surgeon, urologist or even a chiropractor who will make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe you than treat a similar problem.

In addition, with such pain you may need to consult a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gynecologist.

Characteristics of treatment

Depending on the cause of the back pain, your doctor may prescribe the following options for therapy:

• Drug treatment with analgesics and hormones;
• Blockade, which is injections into the intervertebral joints;
• Manual equipment;
• Physiotherapy procedures;
• Physiotherapy;
• Acupuncture.

If conservative treatment does not help, then surgery is used.

Physiotherapeutic methods are used in addition to basic treatment in the treatment of disc herniation on the background of osteochondrosis.

Therapeutic blockade is used when other methods do not give the desired effect. Most often, anesthetics are injected into the affected joint lumen.

Acupuncture is recommended for disc rash, osteochondrosis or hernias. If the pain radiates to the leg, then physiotherapy is also used.

Wearing a special corset allows you to restrict movement in the lumbar region. This helps reduce pain in the area of joint inflammation.

In case of back pain, your doctor may make the following recommendations:

1. Rest in bed on a solid surface for 2-5 days.
2. Wearing a special bandage.
3. Use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.
4. Muscle relaxants are prescribed to relieve muscle spasm. Special medications are also used to relax the muscles.
5. Vascular and diuretics are used to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling.
6. All types of gels and ointments are used as topical therapy.
7. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed to consolidate the positive result. These can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetotherapy.

Physical therapy and special massage help to improve blood circulation, muscle tension and eliminate inflammation.

If lumbar pain is not associated with complex diseases, then yoga can help alleviate the condition.

You can do these exercises at home, and they do not take much time.

Hypothermia pain

Did you know that hypothermia is a common cause of back pain. In this case, you do not even need to freeze, but just sweat and go under the air conditioner.

In this case, the hot surface of the body will be exposed to the flow of cold air. And the next day it will be difficult to straighten or lift.

In such a situation the pain becomes constant and excruciating.

First of all, you need to warm your back. A warming type of ointment is suitable for this. If there is no remedy, then ordinary alcohol will also help you. After rubbing, the lower back should be wrapped in something warm.

A similar procedure is performed every day. In case of severe pain it is worth seeking help from a doctor. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.

If you are often hypothermic, then get a belt made of dog or sheep wool.

What to do about the waist?

Such pain occurs during intense physical exertion. A sharp pain in the leg occurs while carrying weights.

A similar symptom is characteristic of lumbar sciatica called lumbago or lumbago. In such a situation, you should be lying on a solid surface.

Take an analgesic to relieve pain.

Remember that you can not take a hot bath or a steam bath with such signs. In this case, dry heat will help you more.

For example, a special ointment. It is also worth limiting salt and fluid intake for a few days.

What will help the hernia?

Acute and persistent pain is noted during a hernia, which increases with any movement. The relief comes only in the supine position.

You may also feel numbness in the lower back. Bed rest and painkillers should be taken to relieve pain. Then you need to call your doctor.

Serious and qualified treatment is needed during the acute period.

What to do for prevention?

Do not wait for severe pain to appear, but start taking prophylactic measures.

Here they are:

1. Identify and treat comorbidities that can provoke low back pain.
2. Proper nutrition with sufficient amounts of phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
3. Heavy physical activity and heavy lifting should be avoided. In this case the load must be evenly distributed. Do not make sudden movements.
4. Live an active lifestyle. Go for a walk, swim or yoga.
5. Take therapeutic massage courses from time to time.
6. While still, take a break every hour and get some exercise.
7. The bed should be comfortable, for example with an orthopedic mattress.

For prevention you can wear special elastic belts, posture correctors or bandages.

Such devices are recommended for pregnancy and heavy physical activity.

Controlling your weight is important because a large body weight increases the load on the spine. Get rid of bad habits and also conduct a routine check-up every year.

Physiotherapy

Exercise at home to strengthen your spinal muscles and prevent pain. Exercise should be done regularly.

Well-designed exercises will help improve posture, increase muscle tone and also activate blood circulation.

In such a complex you can use the following movements:

• The body leans in different directions. First left and right, then back and forth;
• Body rotation on pages;
• Knee - in the position of the elbow, it is necessary to bend the back up and down;
• Lying on his back, legs bent at the knees, pelvis raised;
• Legs straight from a prone position need to be bent at the knees and pulled towards the chest.

Do each exercise 8-10 times.

Do not ignore the symptoms of low back pain, consult a doctor and take prophylactic measures that will help normalize your well-being and enhance your health.